Utley is swingin', baby!

No, Utley has not purchased a Shaguar. Yes, he did take some swings in the batting cage a few hours before the game. Utley started with some fungo hacks off a tee, then switched to a standard bat, then even took some swings at some soft tosses from Charlie Manuel.

When asked if he was shooting for a Monday return (the first game of the four-game uber series against the Mets), he said, "I want to come back as soon as possible." Could it mean he'll be back a day or two earlier? Hmm ... we'll see. He could take some batting-practice swings Wednesday and probably again Thursday. If that goes EXTREMELY well, perhaps he could play in a minor-league rehab game or two Friday and Saturday, then return to action Sunday as a primer for the Mets.

That, however, would be rushing it a bit. Monday seems more reasonable.